In the Pacific, the United States has bilateral defense relationships with countries including Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

But there's no NATO-like organization in the Pacific as there is with European countries to coordinate rescues of submarines.

The sinking of the Russian submarine Kursk and loss of 118 submariners five years ago in the Barents Sea highlighted the gap in mutual aid and spurred improvements.

The rescue of the Russian AS-28 Priz submarine and its crew last month with British help, and the gathering of about 50 representatives from 15 nations last week in Honolulu to enhance regional cooperation, point to safer seas ahead.

The first Asia Pacific Submarine Conference was held in Hawai'i in August 2001, and subsequent meetings hosted by Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, have been held here in 2002, 2003 and this year.

"We come together at this conference for a common interest, to keep our sailors safe, and that is paramount," Rear Adm. J.J. Donnelly, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, told the group. "But this conference also provides an opportunity for all of us to improve our mutual understanding and continue fostering multilateral relations through the wide reaches of the Pacific and Indian oceans."

The Priz rescue highlighted the benefit of immediate cooperation when the 55-ton Russian mini-sub, itself a rescue vessel, was snared by underwater nets or an antisubmarine antenna.

The seven Russian seamen aboard the sub were close to running out of oxygen when a 29-member British team rushed to the Kamchatka Peninsula was able to use a Scorpio submersible to cut the Priz free.

A U.S. Navy doctor and three U.S. Navy divers supported the remotely operated vehicle team. The U.S. Deep Submergence Unit out of San Diego sent two Super Scorpio vehicles.

Russian Capt. First Rank Anatoliy B. Suvalov said his nation needs to strengthen its relations with other countries for submarine rescues, and that personal ties among the Russian, British and American teams helped save his compatriots aboard the Priz.

Capt. Mikhail V. Nepomilu-yev, on the staff of the Russian navy in Moscow, said: "In the Atlantic, we have framework documents between NATO and Russia about escape and rescue. We have not this document (in the Pacific), but we have been talking with the United States, Great Britain and France about search and rescue."

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.